Built in 1852 for the merchant Fernando Cortez Kelton and his family, the Kelton House Museum and Garden is a part of the legacy of its owners who were extremely active in various social issues. Fernando and his wife were fervent abolitionists while their son married the daughter of a local women?s right leader and one of the first four women who got admitted to the Ohio State University.

The house and all of its furnishings were in the family until 1975 and was left under the care of the Columbus Foundation. However, the Junior League of Columbus leased it and restored it to its mid to late 1800s appearance. They now run it as the Kelton House Museum and Garden. It?s now open to the public as a tourist destination and an events facility.